davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17

Even if we admit the truth of the Presi-
dents statement that the soldiers of the late
war were better paid than ever soldiers were
in the history of the world, what does it
signify?
Nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
paid now than he ever was in the history of
the country, but the same is equally true of
the English soldier, the German, the French,
the Austrian, the Spanish, the Italian, and in
short every soldier of civilized nations
army.
The common soldier of Europe is 100 per
cent better paid, better fed, better clothed,
better housed, better armed, better cared for
in every way than he was in the beginning
of the century.
This is not so much because of the greater
liberality Of Governments, but because the
condition of the common people is vastly
better than it every was before-because
wages are relatively higher-because COM
forts of life that are now within the reach of
every body were formerly the luxuries of
the very rieh-because there has been great
progress in the art of war, and because
changes in this art have made it necessary
to make more of man out of the common
soldier than was ever thought necessary be-
fore.
1t is ridiculous to claim special credit for
generosity for doing what the advancement
of the age required.
1t is just as ridiculous as it would be for
q Observation-Disclosures, for example, to pose as
a public benelactor and man of enlarged
charity, because he pays his masons $4 a
day, where so years ago they only got S1.5O.
The real truth is that, with all our peo-
pies noble attempt to ameliorate the con-
dition of the Union soldiers during the re-
bellion, they were not-taking everything
into considerations well paid, provided
for or cared for as the German soldiers were
during the Franco-Prussian struggle, or as
every soldier in Europe-outside of Russia
will be during the coming great war.
When the Germans overcame France there
was nothing like the terrible marches, the
numberless privations, the awful exposures,
and the lack of the ordinary comforts of life
that attended our four years of war. The
field of operations was small, the entire
country fought over not being as big as that
the Army of the Cumberland manuvered
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17
NOT THE QUESTION.

So much Of the Presidents argument as
relates to the amount Of money that the de.
pendent bin would require is of no impor-
tance in the discussion.
The only question is MS 10 whether Che
principle Of the bill is right, and the debt
owed by the Government just one.
IL the debt is just one il should be paid
though it took every dollar there is in the
Treasury.
If IL is not q just debt il should not be
paid, though it required but cents to dis
charge ii.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17

passed it without crossing t" or dotting
an al"
What, therefore, has all at once caused him
to turn upon, revile and rend the very men,
whom, few months ago, he was lavishly
amounting with the perfumed oil of praise
Why are the men whom he then thought
so worthy of relief now "shirks," bounty
Jumpers" swindlers, and eager to swear ia
falsehoOds?
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
WASHINGTON, d. C., FEBRUARY IL, 1887
ARTICLES FORTHCOMING.
MARCHING THROUGH ARKANSAS.-
The Fight at Steloa,a'S Plantation. By Gen.
AL, .n ID. ln.l...ol o. " q Ga,

MARCHING THROUGH hRKANSAS.-
The Fight al Steloa,a's Plantation. By Gen.
AlJert T. Bracket, Colonel, Sd y. S. CdU.
LAYING A BRIDGE - Some Interesting
RecOllectioRs Of an Army Of the Potomac
Pontonier. By Walter II, Parcels, Co. ID,
5Oh ~ y. Engineers, LeCistOicn, Pa.
TIE SIXTH CORPS.--A Spicy Reply TO
Capt. J. r. Fits, Hal ~ T., Nineteenth
Corps. By T. T. Griffin, 122d ~ T., CHI
cagO, H.
HOW NEW ORLEANS FELL.-1 Graphic
Sketch Of the Opening Of the Mississippi.
By W. H. EcJJcr, Co. II, 9Th Mich, Lam
pasas, Ter
AT DTNWLDDLE.-A CaDaIryman's i'd
Ventues Dih the lied" Horses. By Hugo
N,lcrTt, Co. c, 1Om n. T. cau., Cincinnati,
Ohio.
a GIRL IN DLXIE-A Child's War Expert
ences in he South. By Ada r. Strickland,
OigeRsuiHo, Ind.
RUNNER WARFARE."-1 breezy sketch
Of an esciting adventure. By e. M DOaOn-
ing, Co. B, 10Th Ill.,, Latah, Wash. Ter.
CHAPIN'S FARM-SecOnd Article. By
Req A. L. MOrey, Co. @, ssh NJ y, West
Der5y, w.
PRISON IND ESc1PE-1 graphic nG,rG-
tiUe Of experience IN captivity. By Lieut.. C.
w. Keifer, Co. p, Veteran Battalion, 18th
and l5M H., LcGUenWOrth, Kan.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17
COMRADES, ATTENTION F!
LET CONGRESS HEAR FROM YOU!


ANAAANNAAs AAEAbQAAhALho Ds-AaAAf
MADISON, WIS, FEB. IL, 1887.
Circular No. 4.
In view OF the recent veto Of dependent
pension bill, and Of the very great impOr-
lance Of that measure tomany Of our disabled
comrades who need and are justly entitled TO
help, it is recommended that Posts and
comrades everywhere, by resolutions and
letters, Immediately inform Members Of Con-
gress, who are entitled to and will gladly
receive these expressions Of opinion Of their
approval or disapprovaI of the principles
involved in the vetoed bill.
Comrades are requested TO move at once
without waiting Cor printed circular.
by command OF LUcIUs FAIRcHILD, Com
mander-in-Chief
EB. GRAY, Adjutant- General
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17

to "tender q parting benefaction" to 100
old soldiers, why is it not 10 times more
beautiful and appropriate to tender it to
1000 old soldiers?
parting benefaction will be remember
ed by the veterans, perhaps, longer than
"innocuous desuetude has been.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17
MEXICAN WAR VERSUS UNION Sol
DIERS.


The President is greatly exercised about
the number of Union soldiers who never did
any field service or saw battle, yet who
would receive pensions under the dependent
bill.
Yet he signs bill to pension soldiers of
the Mexican war-three out of five of
whom were never in battle, and one-half of
whom never saw an armed Mexican. There
were 101, 2S2 men raised for the Mexican
war, of whom 27,506 were Regulars. Gen.
Scott, and most of the prominent Gen.
erals under him had great affection for
Regular soldiers, and q profound distrust of
volunteers, consequently the Regulars
were preferred wherever it was possible, and
the volunteers were rarely called on, except
in Gen. Taylor's column, which fought the
battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de Ia Palma,
Buena Vista, and Monterey.
This is shown by the fact that the 1886
Regulars-who were but little over quar-
ter of the entire number of troops raised
lost more than half the entire loss of the
war. For example, Alabama raised 3,O26
volunteers, of whom not a single man is re-
ported as lost from any cause. Florida sent
$40, of whom not man was killed or wound
ed. North Carolina raised 935, of whom
not man was killed or wounded.
Georgia raised 2,132, of whom but 6 were
killed and wOunded!s Louisiana raised
7,947, of whom but IS were killed, 2 died of
wounds, and were wounded. Missouri
raised 7,016, of whom but 90 were killed, 3
died of wounds and 46 were wounded. Ten
nessee raised 5,S65, Of whom 43 were killed,
6 died of wounds and 129 were wounded.
Even the Texas volunteers, s,O18 in number,
of whose sanguinary record in that war
we heard so much, lost but AZ killed,
died of wounds and 30 wounded This is
about the average loss of one of our little
regiments Of 500 or 400 men in such battles
as Gettysburg, Chickamauga, or the Wilder
ness.l Virginia raised 1920, of whom none
were killed and but wounded. California
raised 571 volunteers, Massachusetts, 1,O57,
Michigan 1,103, New Jersey 425, Wisconsin
lac, and the Mormons 585, Of all of whom
not one was killed OF wounded.
The entire loss of the 101 ,2s2 raised for
the war was 1,049 killed, sos died from
wounds and 1920 were wounded.
The army which Sherman4ed from Chat
tanooga to Atlanta was less in numbers than
that raised for the Mexican war, and yetit lost
on that campaign about 5,2S4 killed, 26, 12s
wounded and 5,7S6 missing, most of whom
died of wounds, or were starved to death in
| Andersonville.
Yet the President signs the bill to pension
every disabled and dependent man who
served so days during the Mexican war, but
refuses to sign bill which puts on the roll
every disabled and dependent man who
served 80 days during the rebellion.
The pretense that many would be pen
stoned who were shirks and towards is
the hollowest sham. There never was q
war in the world in which so large proper
ton of those enrolled actually fought as in
1 our war
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17
MERE EoRD-TMISTING.

What is a support Who Is 10 determine whether
man earns IT, or has il, or has ii not? is the Gov
ernment 10 enter the homes of claimants for pen.
sion, and afier an examination OF their surround
ings and circumstances settle those questionsY
Shall the Government say 10 one man that his
manner Of subsistence 10y hs earnings is support
and 10 another that the things his earnings furnish
are not a support? Amy attempt, however honest
10 administer this law in such "A manner would
necessarily produce more unfairness and unjust
discrimination and give more scope for partisan
Partially, and would result in more peryersion of
the Governments benevolent intentions than the
execution Of any statute ought 10 permit-Presf-
DENTS Message
This is mere word-twisting-mere palter-
ing and quibbling-more worthy of a petit
logger in a petty court than in President
communicating with Congress.
Not for an instant is there such doubt in
the Presidents mind in regard to the mean
ing Of the word as he pretends. The word
is properly used in the bill to indicate the
common necessaries Of life. This is the in
variable meaning in the speech of everyday
use, unless it is qualified by other words or
phrases. When we say that man "cannot
support himself" We mean that he cannot
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17

TIE number Of pension certificates issued
during the week ending Feb. ~, 1887, was
~ follows: Original, 752; increase, 7s9; re-
issue, 23l; restoration, 100; duplicate, %
accrued, 10 Act Of March 3, 1888, a; Order
of April 3, 1884, 10; Act Of Aug 4, 1856, 6;
total, 2,0l2; supplemental Act of Aug. a,
1856, 81; total, blob This is at the rate Of
109,S5e year-a magnificent showing for
Commissioner Black.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17

so large as one would think, when it is re-
membered thatthere were 9, 900 men who
served three years, during which time they
fought 2,26l bloody battles and skirmishes
and each man marched on average 5000
miles-an amount Of marching and fighting
unparalleled in the worlds history. To any
student Of our war the wonder is not that
there are so many men on our pension-rOlls,
but that every man who underwent those
unexampled dangers and hardships is not
now permanently disabled and in need.
But let us see how generously" the
bounty" mark the phrase) has been be-
slowed" on those who shave to greater
or less extent been disabled" THE Presi-
dents English is very bad, but his meaning
in this is clear, which is not always the
case.
Upon 1,123 Of the men who followed Grant
from Belmont TO Vicksburg, and Sherman
from Chattanooga TO Atlanta, the Govern
ment generously bestows" 81 month-35
cents day. Upon 2s,359 more, who, we
may imagine, stood in front of Longstreet at
Gettysburg, it generously bestows" 81 a
month-6S cents day. Upon 2,519 who, LET
US say, dashed with Hancock upon Johnson
and Early at Spottsylvania it generously
bestows 50 mOnth-10 cents a day. One
gallant volunteer-who probably did some
thingunusually herOic-has his services spec
tally recognized by getting S3.06l month.
Some day, when we have abundance OF
leisure, we are going TO investigate just what
unusual thing he did TO get him that extra
quarter of cent? Two men get 13S cents
more than he, or $500 month. One gets
1925, one $3.50, one 1888, five $3.50, $40 get
1915, and 63613, who, we will say, fought
from Shiloh TO Chickamauga, have 81 a
monitor 13I cents day" generously
bestowed" upon them.
Then the rate slowly rises, with 1,536 get
ting S. a month, $50 getting S5.25, one get
ting $3.50, one $3.50, one $500, and one dis.
tinguished patriot getting S5.62l.
Sidney Smith used to say that "farthings
were coined to give Scotchmen an opportu.
nifty to subscribe TO charities So we seem
to have subdivisions of the cent in order to
give the Government an opportunity to
nicely graduate its generosity" TO its vet
Grams.
The allowance of Sc month-20 cents q
days generously bestowed upon 37,5iG
as many, let us say, as still survive OF
those who fought in the Shenandoah from
the first battle of Winchester until Early
was sent whirling up the Valley" for the
last time.
There is another slow rise in the ratings
until we find IS month-26S cents day
generously bestowed" upon 5O,925-as
many, say, as shall survive of those who were
wounded or disabled in the terrific campaign
from the Wilderness to the James.
That is, 96,46O of those ON the pension
roll get 81 month, or less; 1894 get from
"a to sc, and 81, i0s get from Sc to s..
IN all, 1SssO9 of the 26S,sO7 pensioners
get s. or less per month.
That is, more than One-third Of The pensioners
only get from 81 10 49, cents a day, and more
than tlOO-thirds Of The entire aumber get 26S
cents or less.
Yet this is what Mr.. Cleveland calls the
bounty of the Government generously be.
stoWedu
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17
GENEROUSLY nEsToNEn..

The bounty Of the Government in the way Of pen
sions il generously bestowed when granted 10 those
who in this military service and ia the line OF mill
tary duty, have, 10 greater or less extent, been
disabled.-Ffesidonfs PotO Message.
Generously bestowed" did you say?
Generously bestowed is a fine phrase,
indeed How will il stand the test of figures
and factsf We win turn TO the report OF
the Commissioner Of Pensions for 1886 for
an answer:
he reports that there are 2es, sO7 invalid
pensioners On his roll.
Large as that number seems 1t is not nearly
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17

MONEY sent tts Otherwise than byregistcred letter,
postal n,oncy order, or dra5i on Aor
York tuill be al ule risk Of ne sender.
1GENTS-He employ agents THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE has nldnV volunteer oaBudSsers, aud they
are generally honest aud tdiilJ,d BAT persons tDho
confdc heir subscriptions 10 them must be their Darn
yudges Of Hcir responsibility. 79e paper Wtu be sent
oHly on receipt of ne subscription price.
ADDRESSES, RENEWALS, Eio--zddresses son
6t changed as often as desired bia each subscriber
should ia every case girc e old mel as nc1o address
FE renst0ing subscribers should Be careful 10 send as The
lobe on de last 1aper roeeiusd, aud specify any cor
ssoisoRs OF changes they desire made SEA name or adj
dress.
CORRESPONDENCE Correspondence Is solicited
yron every section in regard 10 Grand Army, PEN
sion MILITARY Agricultural Industrial and Household
snafiers aud letters 10 c Editor sUiH Arrays reoeuc
s,romra attention Hrac oR ONE SIDE Of 1ae paper
only. We ito not return Communications on 'n0r''i-
scripts uIoss they are accompanied bg request TO
thai e0oci aud Tic accessory postage, and Oade7 40
circumstances guarantee aaoir publication al any
special date.
address all communications 10
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE,
Washington, ID. @.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17

WHAT sudden change has been wrought
by which the men who few years ago were
told that they were the noblest, most unset
fish and sacrificing men that the world ever
saw, are now reyiled by the Chief Execu-
tive Of the Nation, as a gang who are eager
for an opportunity TO swindle and commit
perjury? Al, too, for the paltry induce
ment Of $l2 month-40 cents day.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17

supply himself with food, clothing and shell
ter of an ordinary kind. When We say he
cannot support himself in the style to
which he has been accustomed" or as he
would like to live then we introduce an
other idea, about which there may be a
reasonable difference of opinion.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17

WHEN the boys were making terri
bic forced marches under a boiling
July sun to head off the rebel army at
Gettysburg, S12 month would have been
thought an Insignificant inducement to
those who were straining every nerve to
reach the battlefield to put forth fresh exer-
tions. If Lee had been able to reach Phila-
delphia or Baltimore the damage to the
country would have been more than
100000 a head for every man in
the Army of the Potomac. Rather
than not have Lee beaten back out
of the State the people of Philadelphia
would then have been glad to have sup
ported each man that stood before him in
luxury for the rest of his natural life.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17

WIZ. Fl. LYTLE Posi-, of Cincinnati, o., sub
scribed recently for 10 copies of The Ma
TIONAL TRIBUNE to distribute among the
comrades of the Post who, for some reason
or another, are not subscribers to the paper.
We need not say that it would be very graft
flying to US to see this example generally
foIIOwed
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17
THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
(EsrAsLlsHEp 1879
PUBLrSH HE'D WEE KLY.
One Dollar per Year,
Invariably i'm Advance.
WsrAsLIsHEp 1871

Me- months, rs cents. no subscription for
less period received.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17
WHAT DOES 1T sIGNIFYe

Even if we admit the truth of the Presi-
dents statement that the soldiers of the late
war were better paid than ever soldiers were
in the history of the world, what does it
signify?
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-02-17

s.Isala " 1 v..aro. ro.r 0fa0s :. sloOH0 Gus sTTts
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-02-03

NUMEROUS bills increasing salaries OF
the Governor, of members of the Legis>
lature, and other officers of the State.
and otherwise increasing State expendi-
lures, are pending in the Ohio Legisla>
ture. There is possibly some justice in
the claim that portion of these salat
ries are too low, yet it is poor time to
increase expenditures when the treasury
OF the State is bankrupt. and its officers
are compelled to draw upon the cOuD'
ties in advance for its portion of taxes,
to meet current expenses. Republican
members of the Legislature, who will be
held responsible for the legislation look
ing to increased expenditures, will do
well to 60 slow in their support of such
measures. There has been no difficulty
experienced heretofore in finding good
timber for governors and legislators at
present salaries, and statesmen still are
extant who ara willing to take fair
salaries in cash, and the balance, If any
in honOrs.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-02-03
The Wool Growers.

The Belmont county Wool Growers
Association, held their annual meeting
in the court house on Tuesday afternoon.
Samuel Clark presiding and B HOge,
secretary. After the reading and apt
proval of the minutes of the last meet
ine the election of officers to serve the
ensuing year, took place, resulting as
follows: President, Robt. Pollock, of
Wheeling township; vice president. Ma
than B Nichols, of Union; treasurer.
Amos Fawcett, of Richland, and secre+
tary, John Watson, of Wheeling town.
ship. The newly elected officers enter
ed upon their duties without formality.
The secretary read the resolutions of
the Ohio state wool growers convention
recently in session at Columbus which
were endorsed without dissent.
n b Nichols, Esq, offered the follow
ing resolutions as expressive of the
sense of the Belmont county association: (:
/. Resolved, that the true interests of
wool growers is to ally themselves with
every interest that needs protection.
2. That the times of the greatest pros
perity to the people of the United States
have been, when we had the greatest
pIOLcCIlOu W oil u ulJ AmOiACoA AhOOi-
ests.
8. 1t is the duty of every wool grower
to support no man for Congress who is
not pledged to stand by their interests.
The resolutions were discussed by
Messrs n B Nichols. 81 Close, John
Watson, B Hoge. Capt. A w Lee, Jos.
A Hall and ] Fl Denham, and the Opin+
ion was generally expressed that an eff
fort should be made upon the part of
the representatives of the wool growers
interests to unity all friends of the pro>
tectiye policy in restoring and maintain
ing it. A finance committee consisting
of the following persons, was appointed
viz: n B Nichols, A w Lee and Jos. a
Hall, after which the association ad>
jourDed 10 meet at Flushing upon the
call of the President. While the meet
ing On Tuesday, was not as large as the
interests involved demanded, there was
q spirit of earnestness manifested. which
if it imbues the wool growers of the
country cannot fail to exercise potent
Influence in restoring the wool indus-
try to its former position under the
tariff of 1867,
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-02-03

A FARMERS Institute is TO be held in
City Hall, Barnesville on next Monday
and Tuesday, Feb. 7th and Sth, which
will be presided over by Hon. VIM. Bun'
dy. Following is the program: Monday
forenoon-Address by the President;
Strawberries CultivatiDg and mark
citing. Hon. s Hilles; The Farm Dairy,
l. P Bailey. Afternoon session: Sheep
growing and aid to better farming, Hon.
W \ Cowden; Agricultural Fairs, R S
Clark; The Farmers Pleasures, Mrs.
Hannah Laughing: The Farmers Fruit
Garden, Prof. w r LaZenby.| Evening
session: Rural Recreations. A t McKel+
vey; Whatsoever Things are Bogus f,
Gen. S II Hurst.
Tuesday morning: The Swine Indust
try, d C Kennon; An overlooked neces-
sary of Life, J w Axtell; Ensilage, Jas.
Walton: A Farmers wife's Experience,
Mrs Ella N Snyder. Afternoon session:
Industrial Education, W R Lazenby !;
Forestry, R H Warder, North Bend, o.;
a merican Home Life, Gen. 5 H Hurst.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-02-03
NOCK.

Mr. S NJ Bently and family, of Water
loo, Ia, are visiting friends at this place.
Their many friends extend warm
welcome.
Gerald, son of Rev. J c Scouller, is
very sick. but hopes of his recovery are
entertained.
The Presbyterians of this place are
holding very successful meetings; they
will continue throughout the week and
close with communion services on next
Sabbath.
There was no singing at this place on
Tuesday evening, owing To The services
at the church.
Miss Sadie Bently has been very sick
for some time. We hops she may soon
recover for her presence is sadly missed
by her many young friends.
We hear that Prof. Goudy intends to
remove to near this place. He will be
heartily welcomed; nothing like having
plenty of musicians.
Query: Wonder what has happened to
the would be teacher of F4irpoiut? we
would say to him TRY, try again"
If any one wants to hear anything
further. please inquire of.
QUIET OBSERVER.
Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-02-03

THE Marion Mirror spins the follow
ing yarn: There was an old preacher
once who told some boys of the Bible
lesson he would read in the morning.
The boys finding the place. glued togeth-
er the connected pages. The next morn
ing he read at the bottom of one page
when Noah was 12O years old, he took
unto himself a wife who was"-then
turning the page-"l4O cubits long, 40
cubits wide. built of gopher wood and
covered with pitch inside and out He
was naturally puzzled at this. He read
il again, verified it and then said: MY
friends, this is the first time l ever met
this in the Bible, but / accept it as evi>
dence of the assertion that we are fear.
fully and wonderfully made.